Results 3,061-3,080 of 7,283 for speaker:Josepha Madigan

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs (14 Oct 2020)

Josepha Madigan: We understand the HSE's position, particularly with Covid and the accelerating pandemic, that it had no option at the time. I am not defending it but I understand why it had to take therapists and use them to tackle Covid through contact tracing. What we did is ask the NCSE to recruit therapists directly. This is what we will do. Recruitment is now under way. It will be very necessary...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs (14 Oct 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I hope I adequately answered the question with regard to the HSE issue. The Minister of State with responsibility for disability will deal with access to services in the HSE. My particular remit is with regard to the school environment and making sure we have adequate therapists recruited for the school inclusion model. It is a complementary service to the HSE. It is not in lieu of it or...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Special Educational Needs (14 Oct 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy for his question. Children with special needs should receive their education in placements that are appropriate to their needs alongside their peers wherever possible unless such an approach would be inconsistent with the best interests of an individual child or other children in the school. This is provided for in section 2 of the Education for Persons with Special...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Autism Support Services (14 Oct 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. Next year, over 20% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special needs. This investment will support the provision of over 1,200 additional special class places. Notwithstanding the extent of this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (14 Oct 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. In this year's budget, more than 20% of the total Education Budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special needs, an increase from €1.9bn last year. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (14 Oct 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. In this year's budget, more than 20% of the total Education Budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special needs, an increase from €1.9bn last year. Notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (14 Oct 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. Next year, over 20% of the total Education budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special needs. This investment will support the provision of over 1,200 additional special class places. Notwithstanding the extent of this...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (14 Oct 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. In this year's budget, more than 20% of the total Education Budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special needs, an increase from €1.9bn last year. Notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Staff (14 Oct 2020)

Josepha Madigan: The Comprehensive Review of the Special Needs Assistant Scheme (SNAs) was published by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in 2018. The Review made a number of recommendations including the need for a national training programme for SNAs currently employed in our schools. Following consideration of the recommendation including engagement with stakeholders, it was decided...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (14 Oct 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. In this year's budget, more than 20% of the total Education Budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special needs, an increase from €1.9bn last year. Notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (14 Oct 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. In this year's budget, more than 20% of the total Education Budget or €2bn will be invested in supporting children with special needs, an increase from €1.9bn last year. The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (14 Oct 2020)

Josepha Madigan: The NCSE has responsibility for planning and co-ordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews. My Department does not have a role in making individual school determinations. Accordingly, the question has been referred to the NCSE for direct reply. The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (14 Oct 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. Currently, almost 20% of the total Education Vote or €1.9bn is invested in supporting children with special needs. Notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some areas of the country, including areas of South Dublin where my...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (14 Oct 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 to 193, inclusive, together. My Department is committed to supporting every child with special educational needs to receive an education. The Department next year will spend approximately €2 Billion, or over 20% of its total educational budget annually, on making additional provision for children with special educational needs. This represents an...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Autism Support Services (13 Oct 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. Currently, almost 20% of the total Education Vote or €2.0bn is invested in supporting children with special needs. The numbers of special classes, special education teachers and special needs assistants are at unprecedented levels. Since...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (13 Oct 2020)

Josepha Madigan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. Currently, almost 20% of the total Education Vote or €1.9bn is invested in supporting children with special needs. The numbers of special classes, special education teachers and special needs assistants are at unprecedented levels. Since...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Autism Support Services (13 Oct 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 to 259, inclusive, together. Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. My Department invests €1.9 Billion or almost 20% of its total educational budget annually on making additional provision for children with special educational needs. This represents...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Facilities (8 Oct 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Foley, this provides me with the opportunity to outline the current position on the problems experienced by Sancta Maria College in Rathfarnham, which the Deputy alluded to earlier this week. A major building project has been under way at the Sancta Maria College since 2015, which is delivering major refurbishment...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Facilities (8 Oct 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I will do so. The Department will continue to work with Sancta Maria College on all the other matters as well. I note the Deputy's comments on blended learning, and with Covid-19, the Department and the Minister are acutely aware of such matters. We must support schools where they find themselves in a position where the pupils cannot attend or buildings must close for whatever reason. It...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (8 Oct 2020)

Josepha Madigan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 to 185, inclusive, together. Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education appropriate to their needs is a priority for this Government. Currently, almost 20% of the total Education Vote or €1.9bn is invested in supporting children with special needs. Notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some...